USC Capital Campus hosts inaugural D.C. Climate Week Nature Day

The inaugural D.C. Climate Week’s Nature Day attracted over 200 participants from various sectors including government, academia, philanthropy, and business to the USC Capital Campus in Washington, D.C., for a day of innovative, nature-centric programming.

Nature Day, forming part of a larger week of climate activities across the nation’s capital, examined how ecosystem protection, prioritizing biodiversity, promoting community well-being, and fostering nature-inspired climate solutions are interconnected.

“We were excited to welcome visitors to the USC Capital Campus as part of the inaugural D.C. Climate Week’s Nature Day,” USC Capital Campus Executive Director Elyse Levine remarked. “The event highlighted USC’s pioneering research and solution-focused strategies for impactful climate action before an audience of the nation’s leading policy, non-profit, educational, and philanthropic figures.”

The university also showcased its proficiency in architecture, engineering, and public policy to discuss the January wildfires in Los Angeles and neighboring areas. USC Capital Campus Scholar-in-Residence Chuck Todd led the panel titled “Resilient Communities: Lessons from L.A.’s January Wildfires.” Todd was accompanied by USC School of Architecture Dean Brett Steele, USC Viterbi School of Engineering Dean Yannis Yortsos, and USC Price School of Public Policy Distinguished Professor Genevieve Giuliano to discuss how the university supports wildfire recovery initiatives through innovative research, design, and technology, while preparing Los Angeles for an increasingly fire-sensitive future.

The panel connected USC communities in Los Angeles and Washington, providing participants with valuable insights into how nature-based design, predictive tools, infrastructure planning, and multi-sector collaborations can create a new model for resilience.

Monica Dean, director of climate and sustainability practices at USC Dornsife’s Public Exchange, served as one of the day’s programming leaders.

“We presented our extensive range of expertise — from wildfire resilience and nature conservation to urban planning and climate storytelling — to Washington, D.C., aiming to contribute a multidisciplinary view to the dialogue,” Dean stated. “Los Angeles’s frontline experiences with nature and climate have shown that innovative methods can lead to scalable solutions, and USC is perfectly positioned to bridge research and actionable initiatives.”

The day’s programming also featured sessions on watershed restoration, land stewardship, food systems, urban nature, the arts, and future leadership. During breaks, attendees could explore the facility’s student learning center and enjoy a variety of nature-themed films, including Spear, Spatula, Submarine, a documentary about invasive lionfish and groundbreaking removal techniques, produced by USC alumnus Shannon Morrall.

Participants also heard from USC Price student Lucy Westlake, the youngest American woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, who spoke about her enthusiasm for mountaineering and climate research.

Westlake, who was scheduled to depart for another climbing expedition the day after the May 1 D.C. Climate Day event, emphasized how her studies at Price and her recent semester at the Capital Campus have equipped her to advance her research objectives and advocate for policies to mitigate further glacial melt.

Nature Day concluded with a rooftop reception at sunset in the Capital Campus Penthouse.